[6] Construction of the route faced natural challenges including major earthquake zones, extreme temperatures and inhospitable terrain.

The introduction of Vande Bharat Express trains on this route is also on the horizon, offering speed and comfort to passengers traveling to and from the Kashmir Valley.

Once operational, this rail line will significantly enhance connectivity, boost economic activity, and bring Kashmir closer to the rest of India.. On Jan 25 vande Bharat express arrived at Srinagar from jammu crossing the iconic chenab bridge.

[43] Although the section was planned to open by 2 February 2014, passenger service was delayed due to Commission of Railway Safety concerns about one bridge and tunnel.

Construction on the leg has been beset by technical difficulties with alignment and disputes with contractors,[21] and was originally expected to be finished in 2017–18.

[51] On 12 November 2014, the Delhi High Court directed the central government to appoint a committee to review the 126 km-long section.

[65] The Chenab Bridge will be the highest railway structure of its kind in the world, 35 metres (115 ft) higher than the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Completion was scheduled for 2012 (four years after the first isolated section of the route was opened for local passenger service), and it requires 26,000 tonnes of steel.

In particular, water entered the Udhampur-to-Katra section; this required drastic solutions with steel arches and several feet of shotcrete.

Along with shotcrete, lattice girder support were provided according to different class of rocks found along the entire terrain of mountains in the proposed project.

Although the rail line is being built through a mountainous region, a one-percent ruling gradient has been set to provide a safe, smooth, reliable journey.

It will use 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) broad gauge continuous welded rail laid on concrete sleepers, with a minimum curve radius of 676 m. The maximum speed will be 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph).

Provisions for future electrification will also be made, although the rail line will use diesel locomotives initially; the region is presently electricity-scarce.

Passenger service will be provided by high-power diesel multiple units and heated, air-conditioned coaches have wide windows, sliding doors and reclining seats.

The driver's cabin has a heating and defogging unit, and is fitted with a one-piece glass window for a wider view.

Due to the valley's cold climate, the 1,400-horsepower diesel engine has a heating system for quick, trouble-free starts.

One hundred thirty-eight kilometres of the line, including the valley and the Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel, is operational.

[67] Afcons Infrastructure Limited and South Korea's Ultra Engineering will design and build the Chenab Bridge for around ₹974 crore.

[68] Gammon India and South Africa's Archirodon Construction will build the Anji Khad Bridge for ₹745 crore.